.C. LUMBER WORKER Page 4 Facing Facts CISIONS of the IWA District Convention in Victoria accurately presented the basic needs and desires of the luniber workers in this province. The contract demands for 1951 were shrewdly caleu- Jated to restore and maintain living standards which have been seriously undermined by price inflation. Protection was demanded against further depreciation of the spending value of the wage dollar in the event of further rises in the cost of living index. The skill and experience now required by the lumber industry to maintain high production levels demands due ‘recognition in upward category adjustments. Union security as a guarantee of effective bargaining rights will require firmer labor-management arrange- ments. The long-range view of economic conditions, with its possibilities of wage fluctuations, requires that the con- tract provisions be broadened to include features of perma- nent benefit. : a et E decisions of the convention were realistic as well as reasonable. These were the decisions of men who have their feet on the ground, who know their worth to the in- dustry, and want.the industry to reward their worth equitably, in terms of goods and services. It is reasonable to ask for 25 cents an hour wage in- crease, plus the proposed category adjustments for those in semi-skilled and skilled classifications. No one can gainsay the fact that price increases have depressed real wages. There is no assurance that inflation will be curbed. The only logical course for the Union is to raise wages, and devise ways and means to accomplish periodical adjustments to runaway prices. It is reasonable to demand this wage increase in view of soaring profits in the industry. A more equitable dis- tribution of income earned by the industry is a matter of simple justice. At the same time, it is sound business for the industry and our economy to expand purchasing power through wage income. Pie oars REALISM of the IWA lay in plans laid to accomplish its ends. Delegates have gained experience in the ways of the employers. IWA men are prepared for determined and hard-headed bargaining. In view of past experience, it was realistic to set a deadline for bargaining, beyond which date other and more drastic means must be employed. If both parties apply themselves to the task, negotiations should be satisfac- torily concluded before the termination date of the con- tract—June 15. The slogan, again revived this year—‘On June 15, no contract, no work’”—is in no sense a threat or ultimatum. It simply means that as there is ample time to reach a de- cision, a decision should be reached in time, and in good faith. In the language of the job it says—let’s get down to business, no stalling. ~- It was realistic to allow the opportunity for an early contract settlement. Such a settlement before the termi- nation date of the contract depends on a mutual agreement between the Union and the operators. . The IWA made it plain that the terms must be satis- factory to the membership, and must be based on the demands outlined by the convention. An early settlement, satisfactory to both parties, would prove to their mutual advantage. Union members would be freed from uncertainties for the contract term, and thus be able to give undivided attention to their work and personal affairs. The lumber operators would be in a better position to plan production to meet market and price conditions. They would also know that they could retain their skilled men against the lure of high pay in the armament industries. ee THER contract demands rank with those which directly affect wage rates. Industry in general has come to recognize the value of contract conditions of greater per- manence than wage rates. Paid statutory Holidays are such a feature. The bulk of the work in the industry is no longer performed by transient workers. It is therefore proper that hourly-rated employees should enjoy the same rights with regard to statutory holidays as now enjoyed by monthly-rated employees. Holidays are declared by legal enactment, because they serve an important community purpose. Lumber workers, like other citizens, should now be allowed to share with other citizens the freedom to engage in community fes- tivals, without the penalty of loss of pay. The lumber industry can no longer evade responsibility for the health of the workers who face extraordinary hazards to physical well-being. Men are no longer expend- able. It pays to conserve their health and strength. It is not beyond the resources of the lumber industry to promote a plan which will cushion the worker against the emergencies of sickness and accidents not compensable. There is no single project which would more effectively stabilize employment conditions in lumbering than a genuine health and welfare plan. How P’¥cu LiKe 17, BOYS /2 WA (a0-c0l) JE PANNUAL ‘ VENTION SO Di ff [BAX “Dear Bob Morrison” Organized labor has nothing to be ashamed of in regard to racialism, Can you, Mr. Morrison, in face of some of the conditions outlined above, say as much for the interests or side you represent? F. J. Courneyeur, CWA No. 4744) 1617 - 10th Avenue, New Westminster, B.C. Comments made by you in your radio specch on the evening of Jan. 5, 1951, relative to racial discrimination, cannot remain unchallenged. You stated in the course of your talk that much of the blame for racism lay at the doorstep of labor. Specific- ally you cited the alleged outcry of the poultry and small fruit farmers against the encroachment of the Japa- nese in these fields of endeavor. TOP YOUR WORRIES! Do you own a valuable watch? A ring you just couldn’t replace? Import- ant papers? Savings ~ Bonds?—Any smail per. sonal possession you would hate to lose? Then why risk loss? » Why even worry about it when complete protection —against-fire, theft and loss—costs so little? You can rent a Safety Deposit Box at the B of M for less than two cents a day. Bring your valuables to your nearest B of M branch as soon as you can. It always pays to play safe. Since when, Mr. Morrison, has or- ganized labor—particularly the IWA —assumed responsibility for the racial outlook of individual small fruit growers, egg producers and farmers in general? Furthermore, at that particular time the IWA was in its formative stage and had more important business, or- ganizing its forces against the real ex- ploiters of the basic producers. Who’s to Blame Coming closer to home, i.e., the lumber industry, would you, Mr. Morrison, enlighten your radio audience by informing them who was responsible for and profited. from the iniquitous practice of-em- ploying Orientals in the lumber industry at a rate of pay substan- tially below that paid white em- ployees for identical work? Would you deny it was organ- ized labor that eventually eradicated this lucrative (for the lumber operator) application of racial discrimination? Employment Practices Last, but not of Jeast importance, where does the blame lie for the fact that young men and women of Ori- ental or Negro origin, many of them University graduates, find it impossible to obtain employment in Canadian business and industry compatible with their intellectual and business train- ing? In closing I can definitely state there is no color bar or religious dis- crimination in the IWA. We of or- ganized labor, practice as well as preach “equality”. Proof thereof can be found almost anywhere in the lum- ber industry — where “ ite and Brown, Yellow and Black”, work peacefully together, wearing proudly the symbol of brotherhood, the IWA button. (NEY HORSE SHOE TAILORS & PAWNBROKERS 325 COLUMBIA ST. MA’ S823 VANCOUVER, Ge WE SELL NEW AND UNREDEEMED SUITS anp O} BAN TOA NILLION CARADIANS WJ Bank or MontTREAL Canada's First Bank WORKING WITH CANADIANS IN EVERY WALK OF LIFE SINCE LOANED ON SUITS AND OVERCOATS